Bai Zhi's fingers were still resting on Chen Wuya's sleeve. The wind blew in from the sea, leaving her fingertips slightly cold. She tried to push herself up, but the moment her shoulder tensed, a dull pain surged through her chest, as though an iron bar lay across her ribs, crushing the breath from her.
She bit her lower lip without making a sound, slowly bracing her other hand against the ground as well. Her knees bent as she tried to stand.
Chen Wuya noticed her movement and immediately reached out to press a hand to her shoulder.
"Don't move," he said.
She looked up at him, mist still lingering in her eyes. "I can walk."
"You can't." His voice was low, but steady. "You just woke up. Your meridians haven't reconnected yet. If you force your strength, they'll split open."
She did not let go. Instead, she grabbed his wrist. "Then you can't go alone either."
Chen Wuya looked down at her without speaking. Her face was still pale, her lips bloodless. Even her eyelashes seemed light and insubstantial, as if the wind might carry them away at any moment. Yet her gaze was bright as she stared at him, refusing to yield.
He gently withdrew his hand and took a jade pendant from his robes. It was shaped like a dragon, blue-gray throughout, its edges worn smooth as if it had been clutched in someone's hand for many years. He placed it in her palm and folded her fingers over it.
"This was left behind by the South Sea Dragon Maiden," he said. "She once said that whoever holds it bears the South Sea's command."
Bai Zhi froze for a moment. "You want me to stay?"
"It's not that I want you to stay." He looked at her.